Whether you’ve sustained an injury as a result of playing sports, or you’ve been suffering from joint pain lately, having an orthopedist perform an arthroscopy on you is a minimally invasive way to ensure that your joints are working properly. Arthroscopic surgery is popular among athletes and generally isn’t as difficult for patients compared to an open surgery. If you’re curious to learn more about how arthroscopic surgery can help you, check out this helpful guide from the orthopedic doctors at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health in Honolulu, HI.

What Is Arthroscopic Surgery?

Arthroscopy is a procedure that orthopedists use to address issues happening within a patient’s joints. It essentially involves using a small camera to observe and diagnose joint problems while being as minimally invasive as possible. Though originally developed as a way to avoid open surgery, with advanced surgical techniques and technology, certain issues can be dealt with entirely using arthroscopic tools.

Why Is It Necessary?

Several issues can develop within joints that require arthroscopic surgery. If you’re suffering from arthritis-related pain, torn cartilage in the knee or shoulder, torn ligaments, carpal tunnel syndrome, or a recurring dislocation, an arthroscopy will help to identify these problems so that the proper steps for recovery can be taken.

How Does It Work?

After giving the patient anesthetics, the orthopedist makes one incision (or several, depending on the problem) into the patient’s skin, inserting a miniature camera with lighting tools into the opening so that they can magnify and identify what’s happening inside the joint. If the issue can be solved with arthroscopic tools, the surgeon will correct the problem right there, preventing the need for any further surgery. Compared to most open procedures, arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive, and patients can return home within several hours.

Arthroscopic surgery is a relatively easy procedure that can make a huge difference if you’re suffering from joint problems, so contact the orthopedic doctors at IMUA Orthopedics, Sports & Health today to find out more about how they can help you. Based on Oahu, their team of orthopedists is trained to provide the procedures and sports medicine you need to achieve performance optimization and will provide special care and attention to help you recover from any joint pain or sports-related injuries. Visit their website or call (808) 521-8170 to learn more about their services.